North Dakota § 14-15-10 - Report of petitioner's expenditures

§ 14-15-10. Report of petitioner's expenditures

1. Except as specified in subsection 2, the petitioner in any proceeding for the adoption of a minor shall file, before the petition is heard, a full accounting report in a manner acceptable to the court of all disbursements of anything of value made or agreed to be made by or on behalf of the petitioner in connection with the adoption. Fees may not be contingent upon placement of the child for adoption, consent to adoption, or cooperation in the completion of adoption. The report must show any expenses incurred in connection with: a. Preplacement counseling, adoption assessment, placement of the child, foster care, or other preadoption services, that must be paid directly to the provider of the services; b. Legal fees relating to the petition for relinquishment or adoption, that must be paid directly to the provider of the services; c. Medical expenses relating to prenatal care and the birth of the child, that are not already covered by health insurance; d. Expenses for transportation, meals, and lodging incurred for placement of the child or in order to receive counseling, legal, or medical services related to the pregnancy, birth, or placement; and e. Living expenses of the birth mother which are needed to maintain an adequate standard of living, which the birth mother is unable to otherwise maintain because of loss of income or other support resulting from the pregnancy. (1) 2. 3. Payments may cover expenses incurred during the pregnancy-related incapacity but not for a period longer than six weeks following the delivery, unless the court determines within the six-week period that the birth mother is unable to be employed due to physical limitations relating to the birth of the child. (2) Living expenses do not include expenses for lost wages, gifts, educational expenses, vacations, or other similar expenses of a birth mother. This section does not apply to an adoption by a stepparent whose spouse is a biological or adoptive parent of the child. Any report made under this section must be signed and verified by the petitioner.